June 30th, 2015

Iranian researchers from Isfahan University of Technology produced photocatalysts that do not require ultraviolet light for water purification process and they reduce the costs.

In addition to purifying contaminated water, the photocatalyst can be used in the production of green fuel.

Taking into consideration the limitations of water resources and the need for optimum use and purification of contaminated water, it is very important to introduce and produce materials that help the obtaining of this goal. Production of photocatalysts can be considered as an important step to this end because they eliminate toxic pollutants in wastewater and they purify drinking water.
Photocatalysts use light to facilitate the elimination of contaminants, and they usually require ultraviolet light to do so. This need limits the application of the majority of photocatalysts because 46% of the sun energy on earth is at the range of visible light and only 4% is at the range of ultraviolet light.
The aim of the research was to produce photocatalysts that are sensitive to visible light to eliminate some types of dye pollutants from wastewater. The researchers also studied the performance of the photocatalysts as effective photo-anodes to break water molecules by using sunlight in order to obtain an artificial photosynthesis system with high efficiency.
In addition to water purification industry and elimination of harmful organic contaminants, the results of the research can be used in the elimination of gas contaminants from air and in the production of gas sensors to be used in petroleum and gas industries.